Bengaluru
Airport customs officials at the Kempegowda International Airport have successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle endangered wildlife from Bangkok to Bangalore. The interception took place when authorities examined luggage from an AirAsia flight arriving from Bangkok, leading to the discovery and subsequent seizure of 78 endangered animals. Tragically, six capuchin monkeys among them did not survive, while all pythons and king cobras were rescued and are in safe hands. This alarming incident marks the second time in a fortnight that wild animals have been discovered being smuggled from Thailand on the same AirAsia night flight. A senior customs official revealed that nobody stepped forward to claim the luggage, raising suspicions about its contents. The animals were found within the unclaimed baggage on flight FD 137, which arrived at the airport at 10:30 pm on September 6. The authorities have identified a young woman and her companion, both of whom are Indian nationals, as individuals associated with the unclaimed luggage. However, at present, they have managed to evade capture. Efforts to identify and locate them are ongoing, with CCTV footage being scrutinized for leads. The airlines have also been contacted to assist in determining the background of these passengers. The seizure of these endangered animals underscores the need for stringent measures against wildlife trafficking and serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced in preserving endangered species. Wildlife authorities and customs officials continue to work tirelessly to protect these precious creatures from exploitation and to hold those responsible for smuggling accountable.
